Man admits punching deputies at domestic-abuse court hearing

GREENSBURG, Pa. – A Pennsylvania man who attacked deputies in a courtroom when he saw the woman who filed a protection-from-abuse order against him has been sentenced to up to 2 1/2 years in prison.

The Tribune-Review reports (http://bit.ly/2uY0PhX ) 35-year-old Jesse Hassinger pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 15 to 30 months in prison.

Police say the Jeannette man began to punch and kick deputy sheriffs after seeing the woman at a domestic abuse hearing April 4. One deputy says he was thrown off a wooden bench and Hassinger tried to choke him.

Three deputies were hospitalized for minor injuries.

Hassinger said during his sentencing that he knows what he did wrong and is willing to accept it.

Prosecutors dismissed additional charges against Hassinger after his plea.